Politician 'Stage-Managed' Shoe Throwing On Omar?

Investigators are probing the possibility of the extra invitation cards collected by a politician being used by the suspended policeman, who flung a shoe towards J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to gain entry

PTI [ Updated: August 17, 2010 9:51 IST ]

politician stage managed shoe throwing on omar

Investigators are probing the possibility of the extra invitation cards collected by a politician being used by the suspended policeman, who flung a shoe towards J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to gain entry into the restricted VIP gallery.

A high-level probe by police and local administration is trying to ascertain how the suspended head constable Abdul Ahad Jahan managed to enter the VIP gallery and embarrass Omar by hurling the shoe while he was unfurling the national tricolour at the Independence Day function on Sunday.

According to sources privy to the investigations, a prominent MLA of opposition party had approached Divisional Commissioner's office for additional three VIP invitation cards. The identity of those who had used these cards to get into the VIP enclosure was not immediately known.

Efforts were on to procure details from the politician, whose name was not revealed immediately, as to whom did he hand over the three passes, the sources said.

The sources said the probe being conducted by the police authorities showed the police apparently did not have much of a role behind Jahan's entry, as their duties were limited to complete body frisking and whether or not the guest was carrying a valid invitation card.

The name on the invitation card needed to be matched with the identity card of the visitor by the Divisional Commissioner's staff, a procedure which appears not to have been done in this paraticular case.

As many as 15 policemen, including four officers, were suspended on Sunday. The policemen -- four of whom who were of sub-inspector rank -- faced the action pending an enquiry for lax security arrangements, which enabled the head constable to enter the highly-secured Bakshi Stadium.

Jahan, who was in the VIP enclosure behind the rows where Omar was taking salute from marching contingents after unfurling the national flag, was overpowered by security men and has been arrested.

Jahan, a resident of Ajjas in Bandipore, claimed during interrogation that he was dropped at the venue by a zonal president of the rival political party on his motorcycle at the Bakshi stadium, according to official sources.

The probe also showed that Jahan was suspended in May this year after he was chargesheeted in two cases for being drunk while on duty and extortion while the third case was still under investigation.

Jahan's son Showkat is a surrendered militant and is facing a chargesheet for providing shelter to terrorists. The arrested constable had also filed a case against the Jammu and Kashmir Police in court claiming that he deserved a double promotion. However, the case was dismissed by the court.

In both the cases, he was represented by a prominent lawyer.

Police also recovered some medical prescriptions from Jahan's pocket and it was suggested he may be undergoing some psychiatric treatment. PTI